Skip to content

Economy of Estonia vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Estonia has a GDP of $43.1B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 100/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Estonia has $10.1B in government debt (23.4% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Estonia vs Syria GDP by year

Estonia
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Estonia Syria
2024 $43,130,419,829 -
2023 $41,470,344,395 $19,993,439,950
2022 $38,226,641,740 $23,622,827,080
2021 $37,201,101,171 $14,353,205,678
2020 $31,820,771,494 $12,047,752,036
2019 $31,873,748,770 $22,583,045,060
2018 $31,222,632,741 $21,497,782,868
2017 $27,469,461,919 $16,369,843,352
2016 $24,561,027,788 $12,597,854,877
2015 $23,311,847,751 $16,466,863,117
2014 $27,055,689,003 $21,502,061,466
2013 $25,451,032,781 $21,361,254,635
2012 $23,237,406,116 $43,190,318,033
2011 $23,303,915,795 $67,539,428,159
2010 $19,524,355,419 $61,390,830,875
2009 $19,633,984,440 $54,111,735,629
2008 $24,342,935,404 $52,557,913,569
2007 $22,450,264,166 $40,465,318,382
2006 $17,025,671,810 $33,751,788,856
2005 $14,109,491,357 $28,858,965,517
2004 $12,148,595,031 $25,086,950,495
2003 $9,876,595,528 $21,828,144,686
2002 $7,370,119,619 $20,669,357,462
2001 $6,250,218,423 $20,237,024,725
2000 $5,686,579,748 $18,937,052,543
1999 $5,756,912,266 $15,873,875,969
1998 $5,674,080,543 $15,200,846,154
1997 $5,154,420,649 $14,505,233,463
1996 $4,786,018,988 $13,789,560,878
1995 $4,502,970,889 $11,396,706,587
1994 $4,123,011,420 $10,122,020,000
1993 $4,013,091,682 $13,695,962,055
1992 - $13,253,565,861
1991 - $12,981,833,333
1990 - $12,308,624,418
1989 - $9,853,395,762
1988 - $10,577,041,645
1987 - $11,356,215,543
1986 - $13,293,205,278
1985 - $16,403,539,893
1984 - $17,503,078,174
1983 - $17,589,277,143
1982 - $16,298,929,011
1981 - $15,518,201,335
1980 - $13,062,420,382
1979 - $9,929,681,529
1978 - $9,275,200,458
1977 - $7,696,011,396
1976 - $7,633,528,867
1975 - $6,826,980,444
1974 - $5,159,557,148
1973 - $3,239,487,516
1972 - $3,059,681,698
1971 - $2,589,851,325
1970 - $2,140,384,010
1969 - $2,245,011,515
1968 - $1,753,746,430
1967 - $1,580,229,799
1966 - $1,342,287,553
1965 - $1,472,036,540
1964 - $1,339,494,267
1963 - $1,200,447,408
1962 - $1,110,565,881
1961 - $945,244,972
1960 - $857,704,413

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Estonia vs Syria by year

Estonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Estonia Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $31,428 $49,969 - -
2023 $30,264 $48,637 $847 $4,650
2022 $28,340 $48,218 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $27,951 $44,252 $664 $4,593
2020 $23,934 $40,672 $572 $3,738
2019 $24,021 $40,586 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $23,618 $37,121 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $20,852 $34,507 $852 $3,265
2016 $18,666 $31,948 $656 -
2015 $17,722 $29,713 $848 -
2014 $20,582 $29,404 $1,061 -
2013 $19,310 $27,831 $986 -
2012 $17,568 $26,243 $1,898 -
2011 $17,556 $24,652 $2,952 -
2010 $14,664 $21,614 $2,731 -
2009 $14,712 $20,489 $2,462 -
2008 $18,206 $22,804 $2,429 -
2007 $16,745 $22,201 $1,938 -
2006 $12,641 $19,344 $1,719 -
2005 $10,415 $16,638 $1,534 -
2004 $8,916 $14,538 $1,368 -
2003 $7,205 $13,135 $1,220 -
2002 $5,343 $11,667 $1,183 -
2001 $4,503 $10,309 $1,187 -
2000 $4,071 $9,425 $1,138 -
1999 $4,141 $8,412 $978 -
1998 $4,093 $8,451 $961 -
1997 $3,683 $7,980 $941 -
1996 $3,381 $6,892 $918 -
1995 $3,134 $6,480 $780 -
1994 $2,819 $5,967 $712 -
1993 $2,686 $5,814 $993 -
1992 - $5,872 $990 -
1991 - $7,151 $1,000 -
1990 - $7,481 $978 -
1989 - - $809 -
1988 - - $898 -
1987 - - $997 -
1986 - - $1,208 -
1985 - - $1,544 -
1984 - - $1,706 -
1983 - - $1,776 -
1982 - - $1,703 -
1981 - - $1,676 -
1980 - - $1,458 -
1979 - - $1,146 -
1978 - - $1,108 -
1977 - - $951 -
1976 - - $976 -
1975 - - $904 -
1974 - - $707 -
1973 - - $459 -
1972 - - $448 -
1971 - - $393 -
1970 - - $335 -
1969 - - $364 -
1968 - - $293.3 -
1967 - - $272.9 -
1966 - - $239.3 -
1965 - - $270.8 -
1964 - - $254.2 -
1963 - - $234.9 -
1962 - - $223.9 -
1961 - - $196.3 -
1960 - - $183.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/syria | CC BY

Estonia's GDP per capita is $31,428, ranking 40/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Estonia ranks 45th at $49,969, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Estonia Syria
Gross domestic product
$43.1B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
100/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
-0.09%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$31,428
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
40/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,969
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
45/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$10.1B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
23.4%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$7,356
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
65/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,740
2026
$730
2026
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
23.7%
2023
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.6%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
3.52%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
7.5%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
1339590
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Estonia
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Estonia Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 43.6% 23.4% - -
2023 43.5% 20.1% - -
2022 40.1% 19.2% - -
2021 42.1% 18.4% - -
2020 44.7% 19.1% - -
2019 39.1% 9.05% - -
2018 38.8% 8.51% - -
2017 38.9% 9.43% - -
2016 38.9% 10.2% - -
2015 39.3% 10.8% - -
2014 37.6% 11.6% - -
2013 38.3% 11.4% - -
2012 39.4% 11.1% - -
2011 37.6% 7.6% - -
2010 40.7% 7.99% 28.6% 30%
2009 46.1% 7.98% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 39.5% 4.67% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 33.8% 3.91% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 33.5% 4.72% 26.3% 45%
2005 33.7% 4.73% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 34.1% 5.16% 31.3% 113%
2003 35% 5.6% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 35.9% 5.66% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 35.3% 4.93% 28% 144.5%
2000 36.4% 5.11% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 40.7% 5.93% 28% 147.7%
1998 38.9% 5.4% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 35.8% 6.03% 29% 147.6%
1996 38.6% 7.3% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 39.5% 8.66% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 - - 30.3% 163%
1993 - - 29.4% 171.9%
1992 - - 34.2% 173.6%
1991 - - 34.3% 182.4%
1990 - - 28.3% 189.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/syria | CC BY

In 2024, Estonia's government spending was $18.8B, accounting for 43.6% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 23.4% in Estonia and 30% in Syria, ranking 171/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Estonia

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Estonia Syria
2024 -1.51% -
2023 -3.13% -
2022 -1.08% -
2021 -2.57% -
2020 -5.42% -
2019 -0.11% -
2018 -1.15% -
2017 -1.07% -
2016 -0.62% -
2015 -0.24% -
2014 0.42% -
2013 -0.66% -
2012 -0.86% -
2011 0.09% -
2010 -1.09% -7.79%
2009 -3.43% -2.89%
2008 -2.92% -2.86%
2007 2.5% -2.99%
2006 2.71% -1.12%
2005 1.07% -4.41%
2004 2.29% -4.18%
2003 1.67% -2.7%
2002 0.29% -2.02%
2001 0.4% 2.3%
2000 -0.11% -1.36%
1999 -3.42% -1.47%
1998 0.65% -2.81%
1997 2.98% -1.78%
1996 -0.93% -2.83%
1995 -0.26% -3.81%
1994 - -6%
1993 - -4.96%
1992 - -7.26%
1991 - -6.57%
1990 - -3.92%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Estonia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $212M, equivalent to 1.09% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Estonia recorded a fiscal deficit in 7 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Estonia posted an annual surplus equal to 0.15% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.67% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Estonia

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Estonia Syria
2024 3.52% -
2023 9.16% -
2022 19.4% -
2021 4.65% -
2020 -0.44% -
2019 2.28% 13.4%
2018 3.44% 0.94%
2017 3.42% 18.1%
2016 0.15% 47.7%
2015 -0.49% 38.5%
2014 -0.11% 10.9%
2013 2.78% 40%
2012 3.93% 36.7%
2011 4.98% 4.75%
2010 2.97% 4.4%
2009 -0.08% 2.92%
2008 10.4% 15.7%
2007 6.6% 3.91%
2006 4.44% 10%
2005 4.08% 7.24%
2004 3.05% 4.43%
2003 1.33% 5.8%
2002 3.57% -0.13%
2001 5.75% 3%
2000 4.02% -3.85%
1999 3.3% -3.7%
1998 8.21% -0.8%
1997 10.6% 1.89%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/syria | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Estonia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.85%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 3.52% in Estonia and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Estonia
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $289K
Raw materials & minerals $239K
Animal & marine products $68K
Machinery & equipment $6K
Syria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $230K
Machinery & equipment $23K

Balance of trade

Estonia Syria
Current account balance
-$543M
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
107/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.26%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$22.1B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$19B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$10.4B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$13.6B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.4%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.7%
2024
6.81%
2022

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Estonia Syria
Economic freedom 78.7 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 10/197 155/197
Property rights 93.6 4
Government integrity 86.3 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 92.4 3.7
Tax burden 77.9 87.3
Government spending 46 78.5
Fiscal health 93.1 13.8
Business freedom 82.8 33.8
Labor freedom 59 37.2
Monetary freedom 73.9 80
Trade freedom 79.4 47
Investment freedom 90 0
Financial freedom 70 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Estonia
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Estonia Syria
2026 78.7 -
2025 78.9 -
2024 77.8 -
2023 78.6 -
2022 80 -
2021 78.2 -
2020 77.7 -
2019 76.6 -
2018 78.8 -
2017 79.1 -
2016 77.2 -
2015 76.8 -
2014 75.9 -
2013 75.3 -
2012 73.2 51.2
2011 75.2 51.3
2010 74.7 49.4
2009 76.4 51.3
2008 77.9 47.2
2007 78 48.3
2006 74.9 51.2
2005 75.2 46.3
2004 77.4 40.6
2003 77.7 41.3
2002 77.6 36.3
2001 76.1 36.6
2000 69.9 37.2
1999 73.8 39
1998 72.5 42.2
1997 69.1 43
1996 65.4 42.3
1995 65.2 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/syria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Estonia is 78.7, ranking 10/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Estonia Syria
Services, % of GDP
65.7%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.77%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$39.6B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$48,880
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$2.07B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
125/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$285M
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.44B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.72B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.5%
2022
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
16%
1969

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/estonia/syria | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2010–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.